When Cam Newton inexplicably decided to test Richard Sherman on a deep ball early in the first quarter, it was a sign that this one might not go Carolina's way. While the Panthers bounced back from that interception and managed to hang with the Seahawks for the first two quarters, Seattle's swarming defense and bruising offense eventually proved to be more than Carolina could handle.
Turning Point:
Up 17-10 midway through the fourth quarter, the Seahawks got the ball at their own 42 after forcing a punt. After a 29-yard pass from Russell Wilson to TE Luke Wilson put Seattle in Carolina territory, the two Wilsons combined again three plays later on a 25-yard TD pass. With the Seahawks playing at home and their defense fired up, the 14-point lead was just more than the Panthers could overcome...and Kam Chancellor's 90-yard interception return on the next drive effectively sealed the deal.
Seattle MVP:
Somehow, there are fans out there who still think Russell Wilson is a "game manager". Wilson had a sensational game, passing for three touchdowns and playing mistake-free football...but he still shares today's MVP honors with SS Kam Chancellor. Chancellor covered more yards on his 90-yard INT return than any Panthers WR or RB picked up today, and the 5th-year player out of Virginia Tech further cemented his reputation as the NFL's premier strong safety.
Stat of the Day:
This was Kam Chancellor's third consecutive playoff game with an interception. He'll try and extend that streak to four in the NFC Championship game, and that stat highlights just how important he's been to Seattle's recent playoff success.
What's Next?
Seattle will play the winner of tomorrow's Cowboys-Packers game in the NFC Championship on January 18. For Carolina, this is a disappointing loss, but not a disheartening one. The Panthers started this season 3-7-1, and their second-half turnaround will give them plenty of confidence heading into next season. The Panthers are still a very young team, and they can hold their heads high in defeat.
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